Bengaluru garbage contractors accuse BSWML of harassment, delay in payments
Warn of service disruption in city
Bengaluru: The Bangalore Mahanagara Swachahte Matthu Lorry Malikara Hagoo Guthigedarara Sangha, representing garbage contractors and lorry owners, has levelled serious allegations against senior officials of the Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Ltd. (BSWML), accusing them of harassment, non-payment of dues, and arbitrary deductions.
In a strongly worded letter to BSWML, the contractors warned that the continued delay in payments and unaddressed grievances could soon force them to stop work—potentially triggering a major garbage crisis in the city, as reported by The Hindu on Monday.
The union alleges that BSWML’s Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) were ignoring contractors and directly issuing instructions to Assistant and Deputy General Managers. The letter accuses the officials of acting out of “selfish motives and personal desires” rather than working in the interest of Bengaluru’s waste management system.
The association members mentioned that they had previously sent a letter on September 9, holding the two officials directly accountable for the escalating confusion. The letter highlighted that contractors’ monthly bills have remained unpaid since April, with arrears dating back to January still unsettled.
“Because of this, contractors have been forced to bear penalties and interest charges from the Employees’ State Insurance (ESI) and Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) departments. Even when partial payments were released, unexplained deductions were being made from the bills, worsening the financial strain,” DH quoted one of the members of the BBMP Garbage Contractors Association as saying.
The cascading impact of delayed payments is affecting not only vehicle maintenance and fuel costs but also the timely payment of drivers and pourakarmikas. Many contractors, the union said, have been pushed into debt to keep services running.
The letter further highlighted the challenges faced by workers, who are expected to report for duty at 5:30 a.m. without access to public transport. Many are forced to walk long distances or spend on expensive autorickshaw rides due to lack of support from authorities.
S.N. Balasubramanian, President of the BBMP Garbage Contractors Association, said he had personally appealed to the COO for a joint meeting of officials and contractors, but no such meeting had been convened. “If the issues are not addressed and work is forced to stop in the coming days, the COO and CFO will be directly responsible,” The Hindu quoted him as saying.
Adding to their concerns, a circular from the Bengaluru City Traffic Police dated September 18 instructed that garbage lorries must not be parked on public roads, citing traffic disruptions and safety hazards. The directive mandates that all garbage vehicles be parked at BBMP depots or designated areas only, failing which enforcement action will be taken.
Contractors argue that this directive imposes an additional financial burden, as they now have to arrange secure parking for hundreds of vehicles across the city—at a time when they are already struggling to stay afloat.
The contractors has called for immediate intervention by BSWML, warning that a failure to resolve the issues will lead to protest and disruption of garbage collection services in the city.
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Have no personal involvement in Cong’s action against some minority leaders: Shivakumar
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Friday said he has no personal involvement in action taken against certain Congress leaders from the minority community following allegations of an internal conspiracy during the recently held Davanagere South bypolls.
He clarified that the decisions were taken by the party high command based on available reports.
Asserting that party discipline is of utmost importance, Shivakumar, who is also the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president, sought to downplay concerns that action against minority leaders may send the message that “Muslims are being targeted.”
“I don’t have any personal involvement in this. Whatever decisions are taken are made by the party leadership. The party has its own reports. Decisions regarding MLAs or MLCs cannot be taken at the state level without instructions from Delhi,” he said.
Speaking to reporters, he added, “People may blame me; I am not concerned. Everyone must function in accordance with party discipline.”
Responding to concerns within sections of the party that recent actions may convey the impression that minority leaders are being targeted, he said the Congress exists for the welfare of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, minorities, backward classes, farmers, and all sections of society.
The Congress has suspended MLC K Abdul Jabbar from primary membership and relieved another MLC, Naseer Ahmed, from the post of Chief Minister’s political secretary.
The action followed allegations by a group of Muslim leaders that certain party members conspired to defeat the official candidate in Davanagere South.
Following the action, speculation has emerged that Housing Minister B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan may also face disciplinary measures during the next cabinet reshuffle.
The three leaders had reportedly sought a Muslim candidate for the Davanagere South bypoll ticket, which the party instead allotted to the late MLA Shamanur Shivashankarappa’s grandson, Samarth Mallikarjun.
They were also said to have not actively participated in the campaign.
Shivakumar also rejected claims of factionalism within the ruling party amid speculation that leaders close to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah were being targeted.
Naseer Ahmed and Zameer Ahmed Khan are considered close to the CM.
Rejecting allegations of factionalism within the party, Shivakumar said, “We speak to each other every day. It is the media that creates divisions. Where is my faction? Has anyone put up a board saying they belong to the Siddaramaiah faction? Have I put up any such board?”
“All 139 legislators are my people, and they are all Siddaramaiah’s people as well. Everyone belongs to the Congress,” he added, saying there are no factions within the party and that such claims are media-driven.
Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Satish Jarkiholi met Shivakumar on Friday, a day after expressing concerns that disciplinary action against minority leaders may send the wrong message.
Shivakumar said he discussed with Jarkiholi the need to decongest Bengaluru traffic by diverting vehicles entering the city from state and national highways, along with party-related issues.
“We also discussed political matters in the interest of the party and the need to work together,” he said.
Later, speaking to reporters, Jarkiholi said he discussed with Shivakumar the issue of withdrawing Jabbar’s suspension. He said he will also visit New Delhi next week to meet the high command and discuss state developments.
“Jabbar’s suspension was discussed (with Shivakumar). It should be withdrawn. Let’s issue him a notice and allow him to reply. Then let’s send the report to the high command and seek their approval. High command approval is necessary because the instructions came from there. It may take some time,” he said.
Stating that he met the KPCC chief for “damage control,” the minister said, “We have tried to convince him. Sometimes certain decisions happen that need rectification.”
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